S70 Smell from Climate Control

[ifarrar]

I just purchased a 1998 S70. My problem is this. When the car has been running a few minutes, and the climate control is on automatic -- neither AC nor heat is on (I think I have isolated the problem to these curcumstances) I get a funny smell that at first I thought was the smell of coolant. After about 30 minutes I felt nauseous from the smell.

I had the dealer check for leaks in the coolant, and none were found. Of course, they could not recreate the smell. Any hints on what I might suggest they look for (am taking back to dealer next week for paint touch ups)

[knljohnson]

I know this is a very old post I am responding to,but I purchased a 2000 S70 last week with 175,000k and I get the same obnoxious smell from the vents. I have not gotten into anything on the car yet except for cleaning it up. We Bought a new 245 DL in 82 and absolutely loved the boxy swede and drove the heck out of it. Pretty cool to be back in a Volvo again. Any ideas on the smell situation on the S70? Thanks in advance.

[BEJinFbk]

Maybe mold in the works?
Search FridgiFresh or some other mold killer for car A/C systems.
I've heard a bleach bath will do it, too. Never been there myself, though...

[cattledog]

Make sure the AC drain is clear and check the cabin filter under the front cowl.

[jblackburn]

Is your carpet by the gas pedal wet?

If you actually smell coolant, most of the time the heater core has gone and started leaking, unless you've checked that already.

If you just smell moldy death, check what they said. The evaporator drain will have to be reamed out with a coat hanger or something from up under the car. My Buick sat under a carport for 2 years without being driven, and the A/C had a horrible smell. I sprayed an entire can of Lysol through the hood vents with the A/C running. It killed the mold, but also smelled like Lysol for the next 2 weeks...not a pleasant smell either.

Here's some more about the heater core:
http://volvospeed.com/vs_forum/index.ph ... re-install

[knljohnson]

The floor under the gas pedal is dry, have not been able to get under the car to try cleaning a/c drain. I did get a new cabin filter but it did not fit properly so I had to return it. I bought a purolator filter, but the ends bowed when I placed it in the holder. The old filter was pretty dirty, so I vacuumed it ff and put it back. Have to wait for Monday so I can get a genuine Volvo filter. I should of known better about the filter. Thanks again for the help. This site is great.

[polskamafia mjl]

You won't always find a puddle with a leaky heater core. Generally I think the heater core should be the first place to start looking when you have funny smells from the climate control.

[jblackburn]

You won't always find a puddle with a leaky heater core. Generally I think the heater core should be the first place to start looking when you have funny smells from the climate control.

+1. Mine doesn't leak to the extent where the carpet is wet, but I'm sure it has a small leak...when I first started using my heat this winter, it smelled like antifreeze every time it started. That smell is mostly gone now, or I've just grown used to it.

[Glencoeteen]

My V70XC is currently doing that. but its due to me having a Clogged PCV system i just turned 120k and its currently releasing the oil pressure through the oil cap and down on top of the valve cover under the plug cover. so my project for next weekend is a Complete new pcv system from IPD, its just a thought on my part. because to the untrained nose it could be whats causing the smell since it takes in the fresh air from right under the hood!

[jblackburn]

because to the untrained nose it could be whats causing the smell since it takes in the fresh air from right under the hood!

That's such an awful smell...I had that too and it was driving me crazy before I actually figured out what it was. It smells like oily burnt bacon and it's awful